Furniture

Capitalise on circularity

THE FURNITURE INDUSTRY

The furniture sector needs to offer products and services that are more environmentally friendly: low-impact and circular materials, sustainable manufacturing processes, and new product-as-a-service business models. Emerging regulations will prioritise circularity, sustainable end-of-life scenarios and material efficiency. We help our clients optimise their systems.

PLASTIC IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Although almost all companies use plastics, plastics are rarely seen as a valuable resource. Local recovery and reproduction of plastic materials can become an economic advantage - and result in a huge reduction of plastics entering our environment.

  • Mid-December 2016, we finished the first prototype: a design sofa for Gispen made out of > 95 % recycled plastics. We used 3D printing for the frame, making it easy for assembly and disassembly.

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  • Searious Business was asked to advise on the sustainability of plastics and other materials, as part of the company’s sustainability strategy. Searious Business provided insight into trending materials.

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  • Searious Business supported Goossens to move towards a production without (plastic) waste. We helped to define strategy and set out an implementation roadmap, focusing on their operations and suppliers.

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  • Searious Business supported Vitra to move towards a production without (plastic) waste. Starting with their operations and offices, we helped to define strategy and set out an implementation roadmap.

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  • Xenos has a strong drive to make both its products and packaging more sustainable. Searious Business helped Xenos to define its sustainability strategy in packaging and plastic use, and determined future-proof alternatives.

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It is estimated that around 80% of the environmental impact of a product depends on its initial design. Therefore, to move away from the traditional linear take-make-waste model, products must be conceptualised with circularity at the forefront. Therefore, changing the way furniture is designed is the first step we must take if we are to reduce its environmental impact.

Searious Business drafted 10 Golden Design Rules to help guide
furniture manufacturers in
sustainable design.

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“The method of scale with which these sofas can be produced should serve as an example to the entire manufacturing industry.”

— Dutch design foundation committee

“Due to the extensive background information and the specialised advice provided by Searious Business, our purchasing teams can easily determine sustainable materials and know what we can reasonably ask from suppliers.”

— De Bijenkork

“We experienced quality with Searious Business.”

— Maurits van Berckel, CEO GISPEN

“Searious Business’ extensive knowledge and network within the circular plastic arena provides valuable and necessary strategy input for us”.

— Michael Lauper, CEO rSupply

Monthly recap

Stay up to date with our projects and other developments in the circular economy